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'I had to pay for travel document I did not need'

Chris Craddock,Jersey communities reporterand
Josh Day,Guernsey
BBC Igor sits on a sofa in a living room, wearing a light-coloured sweatshirt. Behind him is a black shelving unit with framed photos, books, small decorative objects, and a trailing plant against a pale wall.BBC
Igor Gois has lived in Jersey for 15 years

Some Channel Islanders have been forced to buy a digital travel document they did not need to when travelling through the UK.

The UK introduced the new travel system – electronic travel authorisation (ETA) – at the end of February, which is a digital permission people need to travel to the country.

It should not affect those with British or Irish passports or those with settled status but some islanders have found airlines have not accepted their Jersey documentation.

Residents affected and campaigners said there should have been better communication to make airlines aware of islanders' documentation and Jersey's government said it was aware of the issues and was working to resolve them.

ETA travel document causing issues for Channel Islanders

Igor Gois is Madeiran and was travelling back to Jersey from Lisbon via the UK on 10 March but was told by the airline he needed a ETA.

He said: "The ETA is for visiting UK, which I'm not - I'm living in Jersey, and I have the settled status documents to prove it."

Gois added he was not allowed on the aeroplane without and ETA "there were other people from Jersey who got stuck" because they needed to fill out an ETA.

"I don't think the airlines are getting the information they need in order to understand where we live and how we arrive to Jersey," he said.

"I'm from Madeira - I moved to Jersey with my family here for 15 years and I lived in Guernsey for about a year so basically I feel like this is my home."

Ania Pawleta looking at the camera, with a BBC Guernsey banner behind her. She is wearing a black andgrey jumper, a necklace with a pendant, and a black cap. She has blonde hair in a ponytail draped on her left shoulder.
Ania Pawleta is from Poland and has been a Guernsey resident since 2018

Ania Pawleta was similarly asked for an ETA when she was flying home to Guernsey from Paris after celebrating a friend's birthday.

She said when she showed her proof of Guernsey residency, border control in France said it was their "first time" seeing such a form.

"They were really confused, it took them about 20 minutes to just figure it out," she said.

"I'm going to Poland in three weeks and I'm just worried what's going to happen there."

Magda is seated at a wooden table indoors, facing the camera. She is wearing a dark blazer over a light shirt. On the table are a laptop, papers, and a phone stand. The background includes framed artwork on the wall, upholstered chairs, window light, and hanging pendant lights.
Magda Chmielewska has criticised Jersey's Home Affair's Minister over a lack of communication around problems with ETA

Magda Chmielewska is the Polish Honorary Consul in Jersey and worked with the Home Affairs Department to hear Polish residents who were caught out by the change.

While Gois paid £16 for his ETA - Chmielewska has been contacted by Jersey residents who have paid between £140-£170 for emergency ETAs.

She said: "We knew about ETA changes years back so that's why I was surprised that people's settled or pre-settled status isn't visible in the system."

Chmielewska added she believed the fault lays with the home affairs minister – Deputy Mary Le Hegarat.

"People have been misled by this department so she should admit the problem we're facing," she said.

"Mary - take responsibility, leadership and action."

Claudia is seated at an office desk in a swivel chair, facing the camera. She is wearing a black, semi-sheer long-sleeved top. Behind the desk are office items including document trays, a printer, stationery holders, and storage cabinets against a light-colored wall.
Claudia Alves has been sharing information online for those concerned about the changes

Claudia Alves is from Maderia and lives in Jersey where she helps advocate for rights for the Portuguese community.

She has been sharing information online for those concerned about the changes.

Alves said: "I think it is important for Jersey's immigration office to inform, by whichever means they have, to inform airports of what they're expected to do when they meet a Jersey resident.

"The only option some people have is is to apply for an ETA but that fundamentally is wrong because an ETA is an electronic travel authorisation for people coming on holiday but we're residents - we're not on holiday."

Mary is standing outdoors in a paved urban area, facing the camera. She is wearing a dark jacket over a patterned top. In the background are light-colored buildings, trees without leaves, and parked vans under bright daylight.
Home affairs minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat was not available for interview

Le Hegarat was not available for interview but the Home Affairs Department released a statement in response to the criticism and concerns.

It said: "We are aware that some Jersey residents who hold EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status or other Jersey-issued immigration permissions are being refused boarding by airlines and their immigration status is not being recognised.

"The documents which Jersey and the other Crown Dependencies issue are fully valid for entering the Common Travel Area (CTA), and we are engaging closely with airlines and carriers to make this clear.

"We are working with the UK Home Office, which has issued communications to carriers and handling agents to make clear that Jersey-issued permissions are valid."

Meanwhile Guernsey's Committee for Home Affairs said it has not received as many cases of the issue as Jersey.

It said anyone affected "can ask the carrier to contact the UK's Carrier Support Hub who should be able to verify your status".

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